Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority Meeting - January 14, 2025
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Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority Meeting - January 14, 2025
The Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA) held a regular meeting on January 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The primary agenda item was an update on the disposition of the property at 760 W Baseline Road, including a presentation on the proposal shortlisted for community engagement. The board also approved previous meeting minutes, received updates on Streetscape and demolition projects, and adjourned to executive session to discuss negotiation strategy for the potential sale.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of November 12, 2024 Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes as written (motion by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Commissioner Rodondo).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public were present to provide input.
Discussion Items
- 760 W Baseline Road – Property Disposition Update: Bridget, LURA staff, presented an overview of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The subcommittee (including Commissioners Kate and Luke, and staff Phil Kaisler and Bridget) evaluated three proposals:
- Wood Brothers: Proposed a three-story office building with one residential unit. The subcommittee had concerns about the height (three stories on a small site) and the respondent indicated they would not proceed without the third story. Not shortlisted.
- LSJ Properties: Proposed a contemporary A-frame structure as a community hub for Japanese culture. While the concept scored high, the team lacked commercial development experience and financial capital to execute. Not shortlisted.
- Four Corners LLC (represented by Jamal Gilmore, owner of Brooklyn Barber Academy): Proposed a one-story, 2,500 square foot building with two retail spaces (barber shop/hair styling salon and a separate retail space). The subcommittee shortlisted this proposal due to its alignment with guiding principles, financial viability (including a bank loan conversation), workforce development potential, and the applicant's experience as a local business owner. The subcommittee has executed a letter of intent with Four Corners. The next step is community engagement via a survey (Lafayette Listens) in January–February 2025, followed by a potential vote on a purchase and sales agreement. The board noted the need for a 15-day notice to city council and a likely extended closing period (estimated 9 months) for entitlements and site plan approval.
Updates
- 700-800 S Public Road Streetscape Project: A contract has been executed with Merrick. A kickoff meeting occurred in December 2024, survey work begins in January 2025, final design expected later in summer 2025, followed by bidding.
- 701 S Public Road Demolition: A utility disconnect issue with Xcel Energy is being resolved. Demolition permit will be obtained after disconnect letters are received. Internal meetings are planned for later January/early February to solidify project plan and engagement.
New Business / Staff Reports
- Call for Applications – Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board: Staff announced a call for applications. Qualified electors (property owners, businesses, or residents within the DDA boundary) are encouraged to apply. Commissioners were asked to spread the word.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approved: Unanimously approved the November 12, 2024 meeting minutes.
- Shortlist Decision: The board accepted the subcommittee’s recommendation to proceed with the Four Corners LLC proposal for 760 W Baseline Road and to conduct community engagement before finalizing a purchase agreement.
- Executive Session: The board unanimously voted to adjourn to executive session pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-6-402(4)(e)(I) to discuss negotiation strategy for the potential economic development at 760 W Baseline Road.
- Next Steps: Community engagement survey via Lafayette Listens in January–February 2025; subcommittee review of feedback; LURA interview of Four Corners in February 2025; potential notice to city council and newspaper posting; execution of purchase and sales agreement (subject to entitlements and closing conditions).
Meeting Transcript
Okay, so is everyone able to hear? I think Marlena's having a little I just I can see you. Just go ahead and get started then. Okay. Um welcome to the January 14th, 2025 meeting of the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority. Um executive director Keating. Could we get a roll call, please? Commissioner Martin. Here. Commissioner Rodondo. Here. Rogers. Here. Commissioner Williams. Um Vice Chair Cutler. Here. Here. We will now go ahead. Let's call out Kate. Yeah, it looks like Kate's here. All right, Anyo. Present. Present. Here I am. Awesome. Thanks, Kate. Um we will move on to public input. Uh, although it looks like we have no members of the public attending the meeting. So we will close public input. Wait, let's see. Is that someone? Oh, that's probably Luke coming to join. Okay. So we will close public input in move on to approval of November twelfth, twenty twenty-four meeting minutes. Has everyone had a chance to review any corrections. All right. Um, then could I get a motion to approve is written. I'll make a motion to approve the meeting notes as written. And do we have a second? Okay, a motion and a second. Um I won't have you do a roll call. I think we probably figured out all those in favor. Oh so we have a motion and a second to approve the minutes as written. All those in favor, please say aye. Okay, it is unanimous. Now we will move on to our only agenda item, and that's 760 waste west baseline road property disposition presentation update. Take it away, Bridget. Great. So um thanks everyone for um joining us for our first meeting of the year. Um this is um probably gonna be a shorter agenda item, but wanted to give an update on where we are with selling our property on the corner of um baseline and car, um, because we're looking to do some engagement on it.
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